The Norwegian guitarist and composer Frode Barth has a close relationship with Ukraine. He has performed at a number of festivals, given master classes and participated in recordings with leading Ukrainian musicians.
Barth is a guest teacher at the Kyiv Jazz and Entertainment School.
On a job assignment in Kyiv, he was awakened by explosions. The situation was chaotic and after being evacuated in bomb shelters, he decided to try to get out of Ukraine while it was still possible.
The situation was confusing. Lack of fuel and public transport seemed impossible.
There were no tickets to be found and the train station was crowded.
He was lucky and got help from the Jazz musician Volodymyr Solianyk, who knew someone in the Ukrainian train company. Barth got on the train from Kyiv to Lviv and further across the border into Poland. A journey with surprises and plenty of adrenaline. He was traveling 43 hours without sleep, food and drinks.
He is grateful to have come to safety and sends hopeful thoughts to his many good friends in Ukraine. Barth is very proud of the Ukrainians who oppose the death machinery from Russia.
- Freedom is not a matter of course, he says. Ukrainians are fighting for freedom and their country. They are heroes!
TV 2 News, March 1, 2022
News journalist: Marte Lundgaard